St. Maria Goretti Parish

			John Cardinal O'Hara the then Archbishop of Philadelphia, founded St. Maria Goretti Parish in 1953. The first pastor was Father Thomas F. Doyle. On June 14 of that year, the first Mass was celebrated at the Hatfield Fire Hall. Soon afterwards, Masses were celebrated at Hen's restaurant (presently Finn McCool's) on the Hatfield-Souderton Pike. Ground was broken on December 27, 1953, for a church-school combination building and a convent for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The school opened in September 1954. As early as 1960, a small social hall and gym were added. However, the Palm Sunday Holy Week celebrations began in these rooms in 1961. These rooms were to remain the Parish Church for the next 34 years. On May 15, 1994, ground was broken again. This time, however, it was for the present Church. By July 1995, the building was ready for partial use. Finally, after 34 years in the temporary church, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua dedicated the new church on Sunday, November 19, 1995. As the growth of the parish has been phenomenal since those early days in the mid-century, an expanded school facility may mark the future, in terms of building. Notwithstanding, the parish is blessed with many good families who take their Faith seriously enough to want to be involved in parish life as much as they can. This is the real treasure of the parish. That fact outweighs in importance the buildings we have constructed, the priests, the sisters, and lay staff who has served the parish; and all the tales, tall or true, that could be written here.

			March 9 - Catholic Life Mass for all adult volunteers in the Catholic Youth Organization in Region 20-5pm Reconciliation Weekend March 28 7-9pm and March 29 *10-4pm* April 2003 April 20 – Easter Sunday First Holy Communion- During the Easter Season April 28-30 – Religious Education Exhibits May 2003 May 4 – May Procession 4:30pm May 16 – Mass for all Married Couples 7pm June 2003 June 1- 2pm Mass of Thanksgiving Celebrant –His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua – Archbishop of Philadelphia - Homilist –Most Rev. Edward P. Cullen Dinner at Pinecrest Country Club June 5 – Baccalaureate Mass for the graduating class of Lansdale Catholic High School 6:45pm July 2002 July 6–Feast of St. Maria Goretti August 2003 August 14 – Ice Cream Social		September 2003 September 21 – Parish Picnic October 2003 October 12-16 – Parish Mission conducted by Rev. Scott Seethaler, OFM, CAP 7pm November 2003 *November 1* -All Saints Day Mass 8am. Parish Communion Breakfast following Mass in Drexel Hall for all parishioners. Honoring our senior members. November 2 -All Souls Day *November 4-13^th* – Pilgrimage to Rome, Nettuno, Anzio, Assisi, Florence and Sienna November 27 – Thanksgiving Mass 9am December 2003 Advent Evening Prayer Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 - 5pm December 31 -Family Holy Hour - 3pm Celebration of the Eucharist – 4pm Social – Immediately following Mass in Drexel Hall January 2004 Stewardship Fair – Drexel Hall
	December 2002 December 31 Family Holy Hour - 3pm Celebration of the Eucharist –4pm Social – Immediately following Mass in Drexel Hall January 2003 January 4 and 5 – Reading of the Jubilee Proclamation January 29 –7pm Information Night for Parish Pilgrimage Trip to Rome February 2003 February 2 – 2pm Celebration of the Eucharist for Consecrated and Committed Life Celebrant – Most Rev. Edward P. Cullen, Bishop of Allentown and former parochial assistant of St. Maria Goretti Social – Immediately following Mass in Drexel Hall NB No noon Mass Feb. 2 February 7– Confirmation 4pm Celebrant Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge February 9 –Spaghetti Dinner 3:30 – 7pm March 2003 March 2,3,4 – 7pm Celebration of Forty Hours Rev. Monsignor John Conahan March 5 – Ash Wednesday